Wide Bandgap Generation Graduate Research Assistant Fellowship

The Center for Power Electronics Systems (CPES) and the Center for Power and Energy (CPE) at Virginia Tech have implemented a comprehensive Master's and PhD graduate study and research program to address heightened interest in the efficiency and compact nature of Wide Bandgap (WBG) semiconductor technology and the development of next-generation WBG-based power electronics converters and systems. To learn more about this Department of Energy initiative, read the DOE program announcement.

WBGen Fellowship Overview

The Wide Bandgap Generation (WBGen) Graduate Research Assistant Fellowship program will provide eligible engineering students with the opportunity to work on collaborative power electronics and power systems research as well as position themselves for post-graduate engineering opportunities in the growing power electronics industry and academia. Specifically, students will advance the electrical engineering field by conducting research on WBG-based power electronics, grid apparatus, and high efficiency electrical systems.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens to apply. Now accepting applications for Fall 2018!

Compensation

Stipend of up to $35,000 USD.

Tuition assistance (including fees).

Benefits

Internship and mentoring program with WBGen partners and Faculty Team (see below).

Collaboration with CPES and CPE industrial consortia partners, including more than 80 power electronics and power engineering corporations globally and in the U.S..

Collaboration with the High Density Integration (HDI) and WBG-based High-Power Converter and Systems (WBG-HPC&S) consortia at CPES, the PowerAmerica Institute thrust at CPES, and the CPE Industrial Consortium.

Participation in leading-edge research program on Silicon-Carbide (SiC) and Gallium-Nitride (GaN) WBG-based power electronics and systems, encompassing: device characterization and modeling, packaging, component and converter level integration, gate-driver, protection and sensing circuitry, power converter design, electromagnetic interference (EMI), system dynamic interactions, and multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO), among other emerging topics.

Comprehensive set of 17 graduate-level courses on power electronics, systems, and WBG power semiconductor based power conversion.